Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    The stability of TNT, RDX and PETN in simulated post-explosion soils: Implications of sample preparation for analysis

    247176.pdf (664.7Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Yu, H.
    DeTata, D.
    Lewis, Simon
    Nic Daeid, N.
    Date
    2016
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Yu, H. and DeTata, D. and Lewis, S. and Nic Daeid, N. 2016. The stability of TNT, RDX and PETN in simulated post-explosion soils: Implications of sample preparation for analysis. Talanta. 164: pp. 716-726.
    Source Title
    Talanta
    DOI
    10.1016/j.talanta.2016.07.001
    ISSN
    0039-9140
    School
    Department of Chemistry
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16019
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Explosives residues in soils may be a useful source of evidence following the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED), such as a vehicle-borne IED. Soil samples collected from the vicinity of an explosion scene will often be stored for some time prior to analysis, yet explosives residues in soil samples are susceptible to rapid degradation or transformation. Although some research has assessed the use of different storage temperatures with a view to reducing explosives' degradation over time, further research examining the degradation of explosives in soil when stored under a variety of storage conditions is crucial to determine the optimal sample collection and storage procedures for soil containing explosives residues. In this work, three different soils were spiked with solutions of TNT, RDX and PETN and stored either at room temperature, refrigerated or frozen. Samples were extracted over 6 weeks, with additional samples gamma-irradiated or nitrogen purged prior to storage. Experimental results indicate that TNT underwent very rapid degradation at room temperature, attributed to microbial action, whereas PETN and RDX proved to be more stable. Gamma irradiation and nitrogen purging proved of some benefit for mitigating TNT degradation, with lower storage temperatures ultimately proving the most effective method of mitigating degradation.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Explosive detonation causes an increase in soil porosity leading to increased TNT transformation
      Yu, H.; Daeid, N.; Dawson, L.; DeTata, D.; Lewis, Simon (2017)
      © 2017 Yu et al. Explosives are a common soil contaminant at a range of sites, including explosives manufacturing plants and areas associated with landmine detonations. As many explosives are toxic and may cause adverse ...
    • Assessment of sodium fluoroacetate (1080) in baits and its biodegradation by microorganisms
      Kirkpatrick, Winifred E. (1999)
      In Western Australia dried meat baits containing 1080 are used extensively by agricultural and conservation organisations to control foxes and dingoes for the protection of agricultural production and native fauna. Field ...
    • Novel Approaches to Forensic Explosives Recovery, Storage and Analysis
      Yu, Holly April (2017)
      This thesis describes a series of studies aiming to improve current practices associated with forensic explosives recovery, storage and analysis. Specifically, fundamental studies on the recovery of explosives from textiles ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.